Printing press frame



g- E; w. WORTHINGTONE 2,447,887

PRINTING PRESS FRAME Filed Jan. 12, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 rpgawo q 5y 0/1')? f0)? bility as do the frames of printing presses.

Patented Aug. 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ram'rmztz s s mamaEmory W. Worthington, Chicago, Ill., minor to t atz'astzirttaf mApplication January 12, 1945, Serial No. 572,567

The present invention pertains to framing for printing presses.

Few machine structures have as exacting requirements with reference tostrength and dura- For example, the frame of a rotary type printing 11Claims. (01. 101-210) immediately preceding statement of object and inwhich the finish on the frame there alluded to also serves as a mountingsurface for supportpress unit such as is used for newspaper or othercontinuous web printing must bear a series of cylinders and rollersweighing several tons and revolving at the tremendously high speedsrequisite for printing of 50,000 to 60,000 newspapers per hour. Theclose tolerances demanded for spacing of the rotating elements, plus thenecessity of minimizing vibration and weaving makes extreme rigidityimperative. Moreover, the structure must be such as to stand up underthese punishing requirements day in and day out over long periods oftime to afford the continuity of service demanded in the newspaperfield.

The general aim of. the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved printing press frame which, with a minimum of machining orfinishing for the rough castings used, affords a structure having notonly maximum rigidity and strength in relation to its weight,'but whichalso constitutes an effectual housing for thedrive mechanism of thepress. To put it another way, the purpose is toafford the necessarystrength and rigidity while eliminating a large portion of the machiningcost that has resulted from the heretofore common use of slab typeframes with intricate sectionalized housings applied to enclose thedrive mechanism and support outboard bearings and the like of the same.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a rotaryprinting press unit framing which has not only the characteristics notedabove but which is also such as to afford an unobstructed tunnel orcrawl space extending transversely through the unit from an opening inone or preferably both sides and by virtue of which free access may behad to the various cylinders and rollers comprised in the unit.

The invention also resides in a novel side frame for such rotaryprinting press units.

.A further object is to provide a printing press frame recessed toreceive the drive mechanism and equipped with a simple set of removablecovers so constructed that machining to accomplish oiltight sealing ofthe covers to the frame is minimized through employment of finishes thating brackets of the drive mechanism.

scription proceeds,- taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

Figure l is a perspective view of one of the side frames of the framingfor a rotary type printing press unit embodying the present invention. rs

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of side frames like that of Fig.1 tied together and mounted in an appropriate manner to complete theframing of a press unit.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the side frame of Fig, 1 with the drivemechanism for the print-- ing press unit installed therein, the coversfor the frame and the lower drive housing being shown in verticalsection.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view takensubstantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 and showing in plan one ofthe drive shaft brackets and its a'sscociated mounting pad on the frame.

Fig. 4a is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a modified form ofbracket and mounting pad therefor on the frame.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 5-4 in Fig. 3.-

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but taken throughthe side frame at the side of the unit opposite to that for Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention has therebeen exemplified as em-' bodied in the framing of a rotary type printingpress unit of the general class employed in newspaper work. Suchembodiment has been selectuLed since the invention is, in some respectspeculiarly adapted to such units. Moreover, the problems which thepresent invention solves are particularly acute in such units. In someof its broader aspects. however. thepresent invention is applicable toother types of presses or press units. Accordingly, there is nointention to limit the invention, in all respects, to that particularuse. on the contrary, the intention is to cover all adaptations,modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In Fig. 1 is shown a press unit side frame, designated generally as it,and which in large measure constitutes the key or basic element for theside of a central opening ll, Joined at their lower ends by an integraltransverse yoke portion Y, and at their upper ends by an integral archportion A. The columnar and arch portions of the frame are ofchannel-shaped cross section, the center opening ll being defined by acontinuous inner flange or wall If, the opening being of generallyrectangular outline with rounded corners. The channel shape for thecolumns and arch is completed by a vertical and generally flat back wallll together with a marginal flange or wall I! extending up the sides andover the top. The frame II is thus chambered or recessed to defineoutwardly facing pockets which are utilized for the reception of thedrivemechanism, an exemplary form of which is indicated in Fig. 3. Thuspockets I are defined in the columnar portions C of the frame, mergingat their upper ends with a pair of inwardly curved or slanted pockets I!in the arch A. The latter pockets are separated by a web l8 bridgingbetween the flanges l2, l5 along the vertical center line of the frame.similar center line web I9 projects from the lower side of the innerflange l2. Additionalwebs indicated at 2|) and II serve to reenforce theside walls of the columnar pockets I6, I. as well as to support certainbrackets, as will hereinafter appear.

The shell type side frame III thus being of generally channel-shapedcross section with internal reenforcing webbing, it is comprisedthroughout of rigidly joined and angularly related walls. In consequenceit affords an extremely rigid structure of great stiflness as comparedto its weight so that it is highly resistant to twisting, weaving orvibration. On the other hand, the more or less hollow or internallychambered structure which results from this shell type constructionaffords suitable pockets or chambers for enclosing a large bulk ofgearing, shafting, etc., for the press drive.

When installed at the point of use the side frames ID are anchored toso-called wall brackets or sills 22 (see Figs. 1 and 2) which aresectional beams of deep and massive section. Such wall brackets areordinarily supported on the upper ends of Y-columnsfl between which thepaper reels (not shown) are mounted. A plurality of downwardly facingribs 24 (Fig. 1) projecting from the lower side of bottom shelf portionslie of the frame rest on the wall brackets 22 as do edge flanges 25 onthe frame and a flange 16 on the bottom edge of the lower center web N.All ofthe flange and web surfaces of the frame which contact. the wallbracket are milled or otherwise finished so as to .lie in a commonhorizontal plane. 7

The frame I. of Fig.-1 is preferably fashioned as a single massivecasting with the various pockets and openings cored out of the sameexcept that two portions constituting arch caps 21 are removable. Thelines of juncture of such caps with the main portion of the side frameare indicated at 28 and pass through the centers of openings 29 whichreceive the Journals for the printing cylinders and impressioncylinders. One printing cylinder 30 and one impression cylinder 3|(Figs. 5 and 6) are mounted on each side of the vertical center line ofthe unit so as to complete two duplicate printing couples for the unit,the printing cylinder being the lower one of the pair in each case.Bolts 32 removably secure the caps -2'I in place.

The upper portions of the side frames l0 may be rigidly tied together invarious ways as for example by the three transverse frame elements 33,34 and 35, shown in Fig. 2 (see also Figs. 5 and 6). In this instancethese three transverse frame elements are spaced apart to define slotstherebetween for passage of the webs of paper (not shown) which arereceived in the printing couples. These three transverse frame elementsare located at respective corners of a triangle, the upper member 33being of inverted V-shape cross section with a rounded upper edge andthe lower members 34, 35 being of inverted arcuate cross section.

Flat-topped integral feet 38 are provided on the upper portions of theside frames to carry the catwalks or other usual superstructure (notshown) of the press. It will be understood, incidentally, that aplurality of press units may at times be arranged one above the otherwith the side frames of each unit supported from those of the next unitbelow it.

In orderthat the various pockets in the face of the side frames mayconstitute oiltight houslugs for the drive mechanisms received in them,

covers are applied. As indicated in Fig. 2, the covers for each sideframe are preferably divided into two cover structures for the right andlefthand portions, respectively, of the frame, and each such structureis split transversely, about midway up the frame, into two separatesections, making a total of four sections. These covers may be made ofsome light material such as aluminum to facilitate their handling, sincethey do not bear any weight of outboard bearings or the like. Bydividing the covers into four sections as shown, appropriate ones of thetwo upper sections 31, 38 may be removed to afford access to the ends ofthe corresponding printing couples, whereas removal of appropriate onesof the two lower covers 39, 40 exposes fully the driving mechanisms inthe column pockets I6. If desired, removable panels 4| may also beplaced in the central openings I l of the side frames to prevent theemergence of ink mist.

The covers 31 to I are, as indicated in Fig. 2, all bellied outward,being of curved cross section as appears in Figs. 4 and 5. Such shape isutilized in order that ample clearance will be afforded for variousdrive mechanism elements which are secured to the same finish on theframe as the covers themselves. To simplify machining of the frame andcovers, the outer face of the side frame itself is all machined flat soas to lie in a single substantially vertical plane. Necessity for gangmilling of a multiplicity of surfaces in diiferent parallel planes isthus avoided. Since all portions of the covers which abut against theframe contact the singleplane outer face finish on the latter, suchportions of the covers may also be machined flat and in a single plane.

At the so-called "drive side" of the press unit, which is the sidenearest the observer in Fig. 2, an elongated trough-shaped casing 42 isprovided for a main horizontal drive shaft 43" of the press (see Fig.3). This casing 42 has rightangularly related, accurately machinedsurfaces at its rear side and top which are abutted respectively againstthe outer side face of the wall bracket 22 and the overhanging portionof the side frame It, being anchored to the same. on such drive side ofthe press the lower pair of covers If, 40 is extended out over the opentop of the casing 42 and is screwed to the top surface of this casing.At the opposite or so-called operating side" of the press the lower pairof cover sections 39a, 40a. is of'slightly different shape (see Figs. 2and 6) the lower edges being secured directly to a continuous marginalbottom flange on the side frame, there being no casing like 42 present.Otherwise the covers at the two ends of the machine are alike.

To be particularly noted is the arrangement utilized for eliminating anynecessity for accurately dimensioning the spacing of opposite endsurfaces with reference to each other. on each of the several covers 31to 40. It will be observed. that if the covers were abutted end-to-endas a series of four more or less L-shaped parts to close the rectangularseries of pockets on the outer faces of the side frames II, a largeamount of close tolerance fitting would be entailed. Such fitting orprecise dimensioning would be requisite since the end surface on eachcover would in each case have to be precisely located, both in distanceand angularity, with reference to the opposite end surface on that samecover. To avoid such expensive fitting each of the covers 31 to 40 has,in the present instance, been arranged so that it has ony one end. nottwo, which abut against an adjacent cover end in the series.

And the opposite end is in each case sealed to i the frame face ratherthan to an adjacent cover.

In the specific arrangement, illustrated, the covers 81, 39 at one sideof the frame have respective top and bottom flanges 44, 45 abuttedtogether (see Fig. and the covers, 40 at the opposite side have similarabutted flanges (not shown). The adjacent portions of. the upper covers31, 38, and lower covers 39, 40 do not actually abut together, however,even though they have somewhat that appearance at firstglance. Instead,such ends of the covers are spaced apart slightly and provided with flatedge portions 46 (Figs.'2 and 5) which continue on and around the sidesof each cover. These fiat edges of the covers are abutted against theflat outer face of the side frame, being secured by screws 41 atsuitably spaced intervals. To afford a frame surface for receiving thefiat border portions at the ends of the covers,- bridges 48, 49 areprovided (Fig. 1) in the form of flanged forward edges on the upper andlower center line webs I8, is. At the "drive side" of the press (seeFigs. 1 and 2) a central bridge ill in the top of the shaft housing 42constitutes in effect a right angle extension of the bridge 49 and theadjacent lengths of the flat edge portions 46 on the lower covers 39, 40are screwed flat against itseal is rovided for the entire pocketed faceof the frame.

Attention may now be given to the illustrated drive mechanism in orderto make. clear its correlation with the frame and the functions of thelatter in reference to the drive mechanism. should be understood thatthe particular drive mechanism shown is but one of many'specificallydifferent forms that may be advantageously employed with a frameembodying the present invention. And as a matter of fact the drivemechanism per 's'e, which is here illustrated, constitutes thesubject'matter of the copending application Serial No. 572,568, filedJanuary 12, 1945.

In the drive mechanism illustrated a main horizontal drive shaft, suchas shaft 43, is. uti- 'lized,'the same: being journaled in bearings Ifat opposite ends of the housing 42 (Fig. 3) and driven from a suitableelectric motor or motors (not shown). This horizontal shaft is connectedby pairs of bevel gears 52, it with corresponding ones of a pair ofupright drive shafts I4 led.up the faces of corresponding columnarportions of the adjacent side frame and connected at their upper endsbypairs of bevel gears II, it directly with the shafts of the printingcylinders II for the corresponding couples (see also Fig. 5). Theassociated impression cylinder 3| of each couple is driven from itsprinting cylinder by spur gears 51, 88. By leading the drive connectionsfor the two printing couples upward at opposite sides of the opening IIthelatter is left free and unobstructed.

The upright drive shafts 54 are lournaled at their upper and lower endsrespectively in bearings carried by the brackets 59, ill. The upperbrackets 59 are secured to the end faces of the webs 2i whereas thelowerbrackets are secured to the end faces of the ribs or webs i5, 24(see Figs. 1, 3 and 4). It will thus be seen that these brackets 59, 60are fixed to finishes on the frame which are coplanar with the finishesto which the covers are attached, thereby simplifying the machining ofthe frame.

'An alternative mounting arrangement for the shafts 541s shown in Fig.4a. As there indicated the bracket 59 may beof such shape that the faceson side wings which are .bolted to the frame ,webs lie in a planepassing diametrically through the'shaft, rather than behind it as inFig. :4. Similarly shaped brackets are, in such case, used for the lowerends of'the shaft. The

net result is to set the shafts 54 further back into the face of theside frame so that the covers 30 may be somewhat shallower.

"Drive connections for the inking mechanisms and fountains of the unitare, so to speak, tapped off the intermediate portions of the verticalshafts 54. Fountain rollers, indicated at I in Fig. 3,

may be driven from worms 62 rigid with respective ones of the shafts 54and meshing with worm wheels 63, which are connected through suitablegearing (not shown in detail) with corresponding ones of the fountainrollers. The inking mechanism for each end of the unit, which serves toconvey ink from the fountain rollers to the associated printingcylinders, may include Vibrating drums 64 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6), as well asrollers BI. Such drums are 64 rotati-vely driven from bevel gears 60,rigid with respective ones of the vertical shafts 54, and meshing withbevelgears 61. The latter, fixed to stub shafts 48 (Fig. oli have rigidtherewith pinions 69 meshing with pinions 10, on the respective drums64. Brackets 1| bolted to the outer edges of webs III support anism forservicing, the operator has only to remove the appropriate one or moreof the covers 31 to 40 at the drive side of the press.

A reserve supply of lubricant is preferably maintained in the driveshaft housing 42, the

,oil covering the extensive bottom surface of this housing to a depthindicated approximately at ll -(Fig. 3) so'that ample cooling of the oilis af forded. Oil from this reserve is supplied under pressure by a pump14 to the various meshing gears, bearings, etc., through suitableconnections (not shown) and cascades down over the various movingelements housed in the frame pockets I'I, l6 returning to the housing 42by gravity flow.

At the opposite or operating side of the press unit the side framehouses appropriate portions ofthe actuating mechanism for the unit,such,

for example, as the fragmentarily illustrated rocker mechanism 15 (Fig.6) which oscillates the drums 84 axially.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that a novel framing forprinting presses has been provided which is extremely stifl and rigid inproportion to the weight of material employed, but which entails aminimum of machining in its construction. To recapitulate as to thelatter, it will be observed that all portions of the outer faces of theside frames Ill are flat and lie in a single plane so that they may bemachined in a single operation. Similarly, the finished surfaces on the'bottom of each side frame also are flat and lie in but a single plane,in this instance at right angles to the side face, and may be machinedin a single operation. The only other finish surfaces on the sideframes, aside from those for the caps 21 and the bores for the severalcylinder shafts, etc., are the inner vertical surfaces such as those forthe brackets 12 and all lying in a single vertical plane. Machining ofthe covers 31 to 40 entails merely provision of flat surfaces on theiredge portions 48, coplanar throughout, together with fiat surfaces onthe flanges 44, 45. Effectual oiltight housing of the drive mechanism isafforded with complete freedom of access whenever desired.

I claim as my invention:

1. A shell type side frame for a rotary printing press unit comprisingspaced upright columnar portions of channel-shaped cross section joinedat their lower ends by an integral transverse reenforcing yoke and attheir tops by an integral arch, said channel-shaped columnar portionshaving walls, the outwardly presented edges of which li substantially inthe same plane for housing the drive mechanism for rotary printing presselements, means recessed between the walls of said channel-shapedportions for journaled mounting of said drive mechanism, and a removablecover structure adapted to engage said outwardly presented edges andsealingly close the open outer sides of said columnar portions toconstitute the latter oiltight housings for said drive mechanisms.

2. The combination of a shell type side frame for a printing press unithaving spaced upright columnar portions Joined at their lower ends by anintegrally transverse reinforcing yoke having a flat supporting surfacethereon and Joined at their tops by an integral arch, said columnarportions, yoke and arch having a common flat outer face lying in agenerally vertical plane, said frame being recessed to define pocketsopen at said outer face for the reception of the drive mechanism ofthe-unit, and means including a removable cover structure for saidpockets adapted to seat against said flat face for coaction with saidframe in defining an oiltight housing for a drive mechanism in saidpockets.

3. A side frame for a rotary type printing press unit comprising anupright shell type structure including a back wall portion having anopen center bordered by a substantially continuous re enforcing innerflange integral with said back wall portion, said wall also havingintegral therewith a reenforcing border flange generally par-- allelingsaid inner flange in spaced relation with the same and coacting withsaid inner flange to deflne at least one deep pocket opening outward andperpendicularly away from the back wall of the frame for the receptionand enclosure of the drive mechanism for the press unit, the lowerportion of said border flange providing an extensive flat mountingsurface for said frame.

4. A shell type side frame for a rotary printing press unit, said framebeing of inverted U- shape with an integral reenforcing yoke extendingbetween the legs of the U, said U being of channel-shaped cross sectionsubstantially throughout its length for the housing of the drivemechanism therein, said frame having a pair of apertures therein on eachside of a vertical median plane dividing the same for journaling theends of the components of printing couples located with one couple onone side of said plane and the other couple on the other side, and saidframe including structurally separable cap portions divided from theremainder of the frame along angularly related parting lines passingrespectively through the centers of each pair of apertures.

5. In a rotary type printing press unit, the combination of a pair ofspaced side frames having tie means extending therebetween rigidlyjoining the same, means for Journaling first and second printing couplesbetween said frames on opposite sides of a vertical median planetherethrough, at least one of said frames including a' pair of laterallyspaced columns disposed on opposite sides of a central opening in suchframe giving access between said couples, means for iournaling ahorizontal drive shaft in position to extend along the lower portion ofsaid one frame, and said columns having a chamber therein enablingaccess to the Journaling means for said couples and adapted for thehousing of drive connections from said horizontal drive shaft torespective ones of said couples whereby said opening between saidcolumns isleft free and unobstructed by any drive connections to thecouples.

6. In a rotary type printing press unit, the combination of a pair ofspaced side frames having tie means extending therebetween rigidlyjoining the same, each of said side frames comprising a shell facingoutwardly with respect to said tie means and having two upright columnarportions spaced apart transversely and Joined at their tops and bottomsby integral portions of such side frames, 9, horizontally elongatedhousing fixed to the lower portion of one ,of said side frames andadapted to receive a horizontal drive shaft, said columnar portions ofsaid one side frame being adapted to receive drive conhections extendingupwardly from said shaft, said housing defining an oil reservoir thereinand communicating at its upper side with the interiors of said columnarportions of said one side frame for drainage of lubricant from theinterior of such columnar portions down into said reservoir.

' 7. In a rotary type printing unit for mounting on a massive beam typewall bracket or sill, the combination of an upright shell type sideframe having a pair of upstanding columnar portions spaced aparttransversely and of channel-shaped cross section to present pocketsfacing outwardly from the plane of said columnar portions and adapted tohouse a drive mechanism for the press, means for anchoring said sideframe on said wall bracket and generally alined therewith with the outerportion of the frame overhanging the latter, a horizontally elongatedhousing dimensioned to fit in the angle between the outer face of saidwall bracket and the overhanging portionof said frame, said housingbeing adapted to receive a horizontal drive shaft and having an open topprojecting outward beyond the bottom of said side frame, and a pluralityof removable covers 8. In a rotary type printing unit, thecombinaadapted to lie against said fiat outer face of said frame, and,said web having an enlarged tion-of an upright shell type frame havingan open center surrounded by a series of pockets facing outwardly withrespect to the plane of said frame and adapted to house a drivemechanism for the unit, a horizontally elongated drive shaft housinghaving an open top, means for securing said housing. to the lowerportion of said frame with at least a portion of the top of said housingunobstructed by said frame and with the interior of said housing in freecommunication with said pockets for circulation of lubricating oiltherebetween, said housing defining an oil reservoir therein, and aplurality of cover sections dimensioned to overlie and close saidpockets, at least some of said covers having portions thereofdimensioned to overlie and close the top of said housing.

9. The combination of a printing press side frame presenting a generallyvertical flat outer said flat faces thereon and presenting fiat facesouter edge constituting a portion of said side frame face and adapted tounderlie the fiat faced edge portions on the ends of said covers lyingon opposite sides of said web.

10. The combination of a printing press side frame having a centralopening and with the portions on each side thereof recessed to define apocket, means for journaling a drive mechanism within said pocket, theportion of said frame bordering said pocket being flat, a coverstructure removably fixed to said frame and having a border portionextending entirely thereabout shaped to lie flat against said frame andsubstantially surrounding said central opening, and said cover structurebeing split transversely into two structurally separate generallyJ-shaped sections with a flange on each section abutting flat againstthe face of a corresponding flange on the other section along theparting line between said sections.

11. The combination of a printing press 'side frame having a centralopening for access therethrough, the side portions of said frameadiacent said opening being recessed to define an internally webbedpocket for the reception of adrive mechanism, the portion of said framebordering said pocket and the outer ends of the webbing in the latterall being finished flat in a common plane, a cover structure having amarginal portion presenting a flat face adapted to seat against saidbordering portion of said frame, and means including a bracket adaptedto be fixed against said flat webbing ends for supporting a drivemechanism in said pocket.

EMORY W. WORTHINGTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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